Viber and Tango’s messaging services banned in Bangladesh

The government of Bangladesh has placed a temporary ban on mobile messaging services Viber and Tango for undisclosed reasons.

The Bangladesh Telecommunications and Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has shut down both services “for the time being,” citing orders from local law enforcement agencies.

The information was revealed by a commission spokesman who didn’t offer any explanation for BTRC’s decision.

Local television station Channel 24 said Viber was shut down to prevent protesters from “exchanging information” across the country.

Activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its allies are in a struggle to overthrow the current government, with recent protests turning violent and killing 27 people in the past two weeks.

Viber is popular among opposition protesters, including activists from the Bangladesh Nationalist party and its Islamist allies who have launched a crippling nationwide transport blockade to try to topple the government.